Aberdeen v Hearts
Football: Scottish Cup
Saturday 9th Janurary Kick Off 3 pm

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Aberdeen 6th - Home Record W3 D2 L4
Hearts 5th - Away Record W2 D3 L5

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Aberdeen come into this Scottish Cup tie after a fine 1-0 victory away at Dundee United last week. The Dons went to Tanadice on the back of 3 defeats in a row. But the Tangerines had been hammered 7-1 at Ibrox during the week and were obviously still feeling the effects of that game as Aberdeen deservedly took an early 1-0 lead. However Aberdeen's David Grassi was sent off and Aberdeen survived a late United onslaught to hold onto a vital 1-0 win which put them in the top 6 of the table.

On Saturday they face Hearts in the Cup, a competition they have not won since 1990. A statistic which is not good enough for a club like Aberdeen. The Dons had started the season poorly enough but it can take time under a new boss and Mark Mcghee has begun to slowly turn things around as his side now sit in mid-table. They also managed a 0-0 draw at Ibrox and then beat Rangers 1-0 at Pittodrie.

But scoring goals has been a big problem for Mcghee's side. They have manged just 13 in 17 SPL games, only 7 being scored at home, although they do have the third best defence in the league. Not surprisingly Mcghee is looking to add a striker in the January transfer window.

Hearts meanwhile have been on terrific form of late and are unbeaten in 5 games. That run included a 2-1 win over Celtic after being 1-0 down early on in that game. Although Celtic did have a player sent off, Hearts were missing several key players and fielded a few youngsters and the team showed good character to hold onto the win. Last week they got a good draw at rivals Hibs who are hot on the heels of the old firm in the SPL table.

However the bad news for Czaba Lazslo's side is that their injury list keeps growing and the miss several first teamers for their trip to Aberdeen. Dawid Kucharski and Arvydas Novikovas both twisted ankles at the club's indoor astrodome and Jose Goncalves aggravated a thigh problem. However Craig Thomson (knee), Laryea Kingston (hamstring), Calum Elliot (knee), Jason Thomson (hamstring), Jamie MacDonald (ankle), and Andrew Driver (knee) all remain out.
There is some good news though as Michael Stewart has shaken off an ankle injury and David Obua has recovered from illness.

ABERDEEN LAST 5
Aberdeen 1-0 Rangers
Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen
Aberdeen 1-2 Hamilton
Aberdeen 0-2 Hibernian
Dundee United 0-1 Aberdeen

HEARTS LAST 5
Hearts 0-0 Dundee United
Hearts 2-1 Celtic
Falkirk 0-1 Hearts
Hearts 1-0 Motherwell
Hibernian 1-1 Hearts

BETTING VERDICT

Hearts have definitely on the up in recent weeks and are in much better form than Aberdeen. However the Dons have home advantage and for me the best bet is UNDER 2.5 GOALS at 4/6.

Its also worth noting that 9 of the last 11 clashes between the two sides have ended with 2 or less goals scored. Neither side has been too prolific in front of goal either this season.

The Pick :

Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts or 1-1

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take UNDER 2.5 GOALS